Maybe a silly question

Maybe a silly question

Howdy all - I'm new on here and to most things 'American'. My wife and I are flying into Chicago next week and then driving across on Route 66 to Santa Monica with 5 weeks in which to do it.

The first Q that comes to mind is the reference to biscuits and gravy - I understood that what we call biscuits, you call cookies. So in the context of breakfast - what are biscuits and more importantly (to me) what is the gravy. To us in UK, gravy is a savoury consumed with meat, can anyone help me, please?

Hopefully some of the posters here who travel a lot will have some good photo examples for you. I love B&G but can't describe in words other than I like a good sausage gravy, lots of sausage and lots of pepper. I hope you get some good help and have a wonderful trip!! BTW, Chicago is a great eating City and I hope you spend some time exploring beyond tourist fare. We have a lot of great food!!

Biscuits are similar to scones, without the dried fruit and generally not sweet (although some people put a little sugar in the flour/shortening mixture before you roll it out and cut it with "biscuit cutters" or even a small inverted glass).

The gravy is usually, but not invariably, "white" or "milk" pan gravy, using milk or cream or "half and half" thickened with a flour roux made with pan drippings (which could be bacon, sausage, or the leftover shortening or oil in which you pan fry chicken). The gravy in biscuits and gravy, when served for breakfast, commonly has crumbled cooked sausage in it. But it could also have leftover "crispies" from fried chicken.

At least that's what it means in my world. I expect you'll get varied replies.

If you've never been to the United States, you're in for a great experience food-wise and otherwise. Give us other cities you'll be visiting and we'll clue you in! Since you're new to this site, here's some tips on how to find places that Roadfooders have actually visited and written reports about, complete with pictures.

On the Homepage of www.roadfood.com in the upper right-hand corner you'll find a box titled "Find Authentic Regional Eats"

Type in a city name, followed by a comma and an abbreviation of the state.

For example - Oklahoma City, OK

It will pull up 26 places in the vicinity with complete write ups of places in the general area with pictures and ratings.

Sausage and gravy or any gravy is best for me when served on the side. You can use it for dipping and saving your biscuits or at least some of your biscuits for jellies or honey or whatever.

I make sausage and gravy quite often. I take a half roll of country sausage hot and brown it and set it aside. I take some residual grease from the sausage, add flour and pepper and make a roux. After it begins to brown the way I like it, I add either water or milk. To me it does not make any difference. Usually about a couple of cups and when it starts boiling and gets to the preferred consistency, I add the browned sausage and let it continue for a few more minutes.

I am sure that there are many more options but this works for me. In addition, my ugly dog Angel really likes it hot sausage and all.

If you stay true to your Route 66 plans, it will take you through Winslow AZ. Try to plan your itinary so you can stay at the La Posada Hotel in Winslow, AZ. It's a wonderful experience. A Unique place that's been restored to it's magnificance with an excellent restaurant. It's The Last Great Railroad Hotel built in 1929 by the Santa Fe Railway for the Fred Harvey Company. It's on the National Registry of Historic Places. http://laposada.org/index.phpAnd since you'll be so close, if not already in your plans, you must go see the Grand Canyon. I think it may be bigger than Wales!!!I might add---Make reservations at La Posada as soon as you can if you want to stay there to insure getting a room. It's a popular place. Also, if you plan to stay at the Grand Canyon, make Reservations. Summer is a very busy time for them up there and rooms are limited.

Evader...don't want to seem rude by not replying to all of them, but maybe that is just me being English.

New to the internet, are you? Rude is the currency of the land buckaroo.

Seriously, you would do well, if possible, to post your progress as you go along Route 66. There are plenty of Roadfooders who would gladly meet up with you, or advise you as you approach specific areas. There's a large group of us here in the Chicago area, where you're going to start your journey, who would be happy to show you around a bit, schedules permitting.

Route 66 though Illinois is especially promising for Roadfood. There are several threads on this site regarding either Route 66 or specific cities you'll hit while on the road. You would do well to do a search for that information.

Howdy all - I'm new on here and to most things 'American'. My wife and I are flying into Chicago next week and then driving across on Route 66 to Santa Monica with 5 weeks in which to do it.

The first Q that comes to mind is the reference to biscuits and gravy - I understood that what we call biscuits, you call cookies. So in the context of breakfast - what are biscuits and more importantly (to me) what is the gravy. To us in UK, gravy is a savoury consumed with meat, can anyone help me, please?

Regards Evader (aka Confused of Christchurch)

A big HOWDEEE, Y'ALL from Texas! Someone needs to suggest some BBQ joints in Oklahoma and Mexican food in New Mexico or Arizona to Evader. Evader, In Barstow, California where I-40 ends and I-15 begins to take you to Southern California, there is a very well known and very popular hamburger restaurant called, In-N-Out Burger. It's a large privately owned chain but nothing like McDonalds. Do stop there and have a great burger. Ask for a double meat and cheese "Animal Style". It's just one of the (delicious) reasons we yanks are so fat. And believe me, after your long stretch on 66 (I-40) you'll be ready for one. With a cold chocolate shake as well! https://plus.google.com/1...860404422/photos?hl=enhttp://www.in-n-out.com/

Evader, be sure to check out the "66 Diner" in Albuquerque, New Mexico that's currently featured on the Roadfood home page. It looks like the perfect place to experience some good old American comfort food while on your trip.